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I  NATCH  HAL    ADDKKSS 


HON.    JAMES    A.    WESTON. 


/ViAYOR. 


Till-   CITY  Cor\(!!L  OF    MANCHESTER,. 

IVERED   BEFORE:  THE  TWO 

1  ION.  JANUARY    »cl.    !K71. 
Printed  by  Order  of  the  City  Council. 


MAN*  UK.- IKK,    N.    H. 
v.-.  !•..   MOdi.M..   I'Hivn  ".   i!  •!    STREET,   r\in\    1:1  i  I.|I|M-:. 


UCSB   LIBRARY 


OF     T  H  K 


HON,   JAMES   A.   WESTON, 


THE  CITY  COUNCIL  OF  MANCHESTER, 

DELIVERED    BEFORE   THE    TWO    BRANCHES    IN    CONVEN- 
TION, JANUARY  3d,  1871. 


Printed  by  Order  of  the  City  Council 


MANCHESTER,  N.  H. 

W.   E.   MOORE.   PRINTER,   ELM   STREET,  UNION  BUILDING, 

1871. 


CITY    OF    MANCHESTER. 


An  Order  to  Print  the  Mayor's  Tnaugural  Add,rf»s. 


ORDERED,  If  the  Board  of  Common  Council  concur,  That  the 
City  Clerk  be  hereby  authorized  to  cause  to  be  printed,  for  the  use 
of  the  City  Council,  three  hundred  and  fifty  copies  of  the  Address 
of  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  delivered  this  day  before  a  convention  of 
the  City  Council. 

In  Board  of  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  January  3,  1871. 
Read  and  passed, 

J.  E.  BENNETT,  City  Clerk. 

In  Board  of  Common  Council,  January  3,  1871. 
Read  and  passed,  , 

ELBIDGE  a.  HADLEY,  Clerk. 


A.  D  ID  R  E  8  8 


Gentlemen  of  the    City   Council: 

The  events  of  another  year  have  passed  into 
history,  their  attending  cares  and  responsibilities 
have  given  place  to  new  purposes,  their  joys  and 
sorrows  have  become  a  part  of  human  experience, 
and  the  lessons  suggested  by  them  should  give 
us  wisdom  for  approaching  duties.  Notwith- 
standing the  great  fire  staid  for  awhile  the  growth 
of  our  municipality,  and  the  severe  drought 
threatened  alarmingly,  not  only  our  personal 
comfort  but  to  place  its  withering  hand  upon 
the  chief  sources  of  our  industrial  and  financial 
prosperity,  manifold  blessings,  and  the  full  measure 
of  success  in  their  countless  pursuits,  have  been 
bestowed  upon  the  people,  and  may  well  awaken 
in  our  hearts  a  grateful  response  to  the  Giver  of 
all  our  mercies. 

As  we  devote  ourselves  to  the  public  service 
for  the  next  municipal  term,  let  us  not  fail  to  re- 


4 

cognize  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe  as  the 
source  of  all  wisdom  and  power,  and,  relying  upon 
His  aid  and  guidance,  let  us  cheerfully  and  hope- 
fully, but  earnestly,  enter  upon  the  discharge  of 
our  several  duties,  determined  to  manage  the  im- 
portant trusts  confided  to  us,  for  the  greatest  good 
of  all  our  people. 

FINANCES. 

First,  as  of  the  greatest  importance,  I  desire 
to  ask  your  attention  to  the  financial  condition  of 
the  city,  as  shown  by  the  Treasurer's  books: 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  CITY  DEBT  JAN.  1,  1871. 

Amount  of  funded  debt  January  1,  1870,  $401,900  00 
Decrease  during  the  year,  8,800  00 


Amount  of  funded  debt  Jan.  1,  1871,  $393,100  00 

Amount  of  temporary  loan  Jan.  1,  1870,        28,001  00 
Decrease  during  the  year,  7,275  00 


Amount  of  temporary  loan  Jan.  1,  1871,  20,720  00 

Interest  now  due,  estimated  at  9,000  00 

Outstanding  bills  due  Jan.  1,  1871,  22,802  75 


Total  debt  and  interest  January  1,  1871,  445,628  75 

Cash  in  the  treasury  Jan.  1,  1871,  36,321  02 

Notes  due  the  city,  5,460  53 

Interest  on  same,  307  92 

42,089  47 

Net  indebtedness  Jan.  1,  1871.  403,539  28 

Net  indebtedness  Jan.  1,  1870',  425,510  70 


Decrease  of  the  debt  during  the  year  1870,  21,971  42 

The  valuation,  as  returned  by  the  Assessors 
for  the  past  year,  is  $10,710.252,  showing  an  in- 


crease  of  more  than  a  half  million  of  dollars  over 

the   valuation  of   1869.     The  rate  of  taxation  on 

j 

$100.00  was  2.48  in  1869  and  2.18  in  1870. 

The  total  amount  assessed  by  tax  last  year 
was  $233,483.63.  This  sum  was  appropriated  as 
follows : 

For  State  Tax,       ...  .        $50,562  00 

"     County  Tax, 15,947  47 

"     Municipal  purposes, .    .         .         .         106,974  16 

$233,483  63 

I  think  it  will  be  conceded  by  all  that  this  im- 
portant department  of  the  government  has  always 
been  managed  with  great  prudence  and  careful 
foresight,  as  our  present  good  condition  so  well 
attests.  The  present  indebtedness  of  the  city  is 
less  than  four  per  cent  on  its  valuation,  and  about 
three-fourths  of  this  was  occasioned  by  the  late 
war.  Since  the  re-establishment  of  peace,  many 
valuable  and  costly  improvements  have  been  made. 
The  Court  House,  Library  Building,  and  two 
School  Houses  have  been  erected,  capacious  sew- 
ers constructed,  new  streets  opened,  a  new  steam 
fire  engine  purchased,  and  other  works  of  a  per- 
manent character  accomplished.  The  expense  of 
all  these  has  been  met  by  annual  taxation,  besides 


6 

applying  each  year  a  handsome  sum  towards  the 
extinction  o£  the  city  debt.  In  view  of  such  a 
record  our  citizens  may  well  be  gratified. 

Bonds  to  the  amount  of  $8,800  became  due 
the  past  year,  and  have  been  paid.  Other  bonds 
amounting  to  $6,000  mature  the  present  year,  for 
the  payment  of  which  you  will  be  called  upon  to 
make  provision. 

Heretofore  a  large  surplus  has  remained  in  the 
City  Treasury  from  the  first  of  July,  the  com- 
mencement of  the  payment  of  the  new  tax  list,  till 
the  following  March  or  April,  from  which  the  city 
derives  no  advantage.  I  see  no  good  reason  for 
keeping  these  funds  on  deposit  for  so  large  a  por- 
tion of  the  year,  and  I  recommend  that  the  floating 
debt,  now  only  about  $20,000,  be  extinguished  as 
soon  as  practicable,  by  the  use  of  any  money  in 
the  treasury  not  needed  for  other  purposes.  I 
recommend  further  that  a  sufficient  sum  be  raised 
by  taxation  to  meet  the  requirements  of  every  de- 
partment the  present  year,  with  a  liberal  sum  to 
be  applied  to  the  further  reduction  of  the  city 
debt. 


PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

There  can  be  no  duty  more  imperative,  no 
trust  more  sacred,  and  no  call  which  should  sum- 
mon our  attention  more  readily  than  providing  for 
the  educational  interests  of  the  city.  The  public 
schools  of  Manchester  have  attained  a  high  posi- 
tion ;  and  I  trust  that  we  shall  endeavor  not  only 
to  maintain  their  so  well  merited  reputation,  but 
shall  be  ready  to  respond  to  the  increasing  de- 
mands of  the  future. 

Although  the  school  department  is  directly 
managed  by  a  separate  branch  of  the  government, 
it  will  be  your  privilege  to  furnish  the  means  by 
which  it  is  to  be  maintained;  and  I  heartily  be- 
speak for  it  a  liberal  support. 

By  a  recent  amendment  to  the  City  Charter 
the  Board  of  School  Committee,  formerly  consist- 
ing of  one  member  from  each  ward,  has  been  in- 
creased by  the  addition  of  the  Mayor  and  Presi- 
dent of  the  Common  Council,  the  former  being 
chairman  ex  officio  of  the  Board.  This  wise  pro- 
vision will  form  a  connecting  link  between  this  and 
the  other  departments,  thereby  facilitating  the 


8 

transaction  of  business  and  securing  a  better  sys- 
tem of  accountability. 

The  whole  number  of  different  children  who 
have  received  instruction  the  past  year  is  3,200. 
The  average  number  belonging  to  the  schools  the 
entire  year  was  2,167;  the  average  daily  attend- 
ance was  2,001,  and  the  number  in  actual  attend- 
ance at  the  close  of  the  year  was  2,337. 

The  number  of  schools  in  the  city,  exclusive 
of  three  evening  schools,  is  46,  being  the  same  as 
reported  one  year  ago.  The  number  of  teachers 
employed  is  65,  being  an  increase  of  two  over  the 
previous  number.  The  average  cost  per  scholar 
for  the  year  has  been  $20.21. 

The  last  annual  appropriation  for  this  depart- 
ment was  as  follows : 


Maintenance  of  schools,  $42,000  00 

New  school  houses,  15,000  00 

School  house  repairs,  5,000  00 

Evening  schools,  750  00 


Total,  $62,750  00 

A  still  larger  sum  will  be  required  this  year, 
ix>  meet  the  ordinary  demands  and  complete  the 
new  school  houses  already  commenced. 


SCHOOL    HOUSES. 

At  Groff' s  Falls  a  brick  building  of  sufficient 
capacity  to  comfortably  accommodate  forty  schol- 
ars has  been  erected  upon  a  foundation  that  was 
laid  the  previous  year,  at  a  total  cost  of  $3,639.39. 
Another  permanent  brick  structure,  two  stories  in 
height,  with  slated  roof,  and  containing  four  school 
rooms,  has  been  constructed  on  Main  street,  Pis- 
cataquog,  and  is  nearly  ready  for  occupancy.  A 
commodious  lot  for  this  house,  an  addition  to  the 
lot  of  the  Franklin  Street  Grammar  School  (71  by 
100  ft.)  and  a  new  lot  on  the  corner  of  Beech  and 
Spruce  streets  for  future  use,  have  been  purchased. 
The  appropriation  of  last  year  is  adequate  to 
cover  the  cost  of  all  these  improvements. 

Contracts  have  been  made  for  furnishing  the 
materials  for  building  a  new  Grammar  School 
house  on  Lincoln  street,  and  a  portion  of  the 
brick  has  already  been  delivered  upon  the  ground. 
It  was  the  design  of  your  predecessors  to  place 
this  enterprise  in  a  position  to  enable  you  to  carry 
the  work  forward  in  the  early  part  of  the  year, 
thus  furnishing  a  better  opportunity  to  season  the 


10 

walls  and  lumber,  and  secure  the  advantages  aris- 
ing from  an  early  contract. 

I  trust  that  110  unnecessary  delay  will  be  per- 
mitted in  carrying  forward  this  undertaking. 

CITY    LIBRARY. 

As  an  auxilliary  to  our  other  educational  in- 
stitutions, the  City  Library  is  prominent.  Having 
its  origin  in  the  enlightened  liberality  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Manchester  Athenaeum,  fostered 
and  sustained  by  substantial  aid  from  the  city 
treasury,  and  the  generous  contributions  of  many 
citizens,  it  now  has  a  catalogue  embracing  14,930 
volumes,  selected  with  especial  reference  to  the 
wants  of  this  community. 

It  was  expected  one  year  ago  that  the  library 
building  would  be  fully  completed  and  ready  for 
occupancy  last  autumn,  and  an  appropriation  was 
made  to  secure  this  result.  The  work  was  placed 
under  contract  with  the  agreement  that  the  build- 
ing should  be  in  readiness  for  use  by  the  first  of 
December  last;  but  unforeseen  causes  operated  to 
retard  the  progress  of  the  work,  and  it  was  decided 
to  retain  the  old  rooms  till  the  coming  spring. 


11 

The  total  appropriations  made  in  aid  of  this 
object  amount  to  $25,000.  An  additional  sum  will 
be  required  for  furnishing  the  rooms  and  fencing 
the  lot. 

POLICE    DEPARTMENT. 

The  police  force,  as  now  constituted,  consists 
of  City  Marshal,  Assistant  Marshal,  two  day  and 
ten  night  policemen. 

The  City  Marshal,  who  by  the  ordinances  is 
made  Captain  of  the  Watch,  cannot  be  expected 
in  connection  with  his  other  duties,  to  devote  that 
personal  supervision  over  the  night  force  that  is 
essential  to  a  well-regulated  and  efficient  depart- 
ment. In  case  of  a  sudden  emergency  it  is  neces- 
sary that  there  should  be  a  recognized  head, 

clothed  with  ample  authority.  Our  present  force, 
feeling  the  need  of  such  an  officer,  have  usually 
.chosen  one  of  their  own  number  as  chief  or  cap- 
tain of  the  watch.  To  guard  against  future  con- 
tingencies, I  am  of  the  opinion  that  an  officer 

should  be  appointed  whose  only  duty  should  be  to 
superintend  the  night  force,  seeing  that  every  man 
is  at  his  post;  that  all  reasonable  security  may  be 
afforded  to  the  lives  and  property  of  citizens. 


12 

An  amendment  to  the  charter  of  the  city, 
enacted  at  the  late  session  of  the  legislature  of  this 
State,  provides  that  hereafter  all  Police  OfticiTs 
shall  be  chosen  by  the  City  Council  in  convent  ion, 
instead  of  by  the  Board  of  Mayor  and  Aldenm-ti 
as  heretofore.  The  wisdom  of  this  change,  which  vir- 
tually divides  the  responsibility  connected  with  this 
department  among  thirty-two  individuals,  requiring  all 
warrants  to  be  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  whole  City 
Council,  may  well  be  questioned. 

Your  predecessors  passed  an  order  authorizing  ad- 
ditional cells  to  be  prepared  in  the  City  Hall  building, 
to  be  used  in  connection  with  this  department  as  a  tem- 
porary place  of  confinement  for  prisoners.  After  the 
plans  had  been  perfected  and  a  portion  of  the  materials 
procured,  the  work  was  suspended  by  a  proposition  to 
purchase  a  lot  in  another  locality  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a  separate  police  station  thereon.  Nothing 
has  been  accomplished  however  in  this  direction. 

The  original  plan  was  so  arranged  as  to  admit  a 
convenient  fire-proof  room  or  vault  over  the  cells,  and 
to  this  subject  I  desire  to  call  your  especial  attention. 
The  general  statutes  very  properly  make  the  office  of 


13 

the  City  Clerk  a  general  depository  of  the  records  and 
papers  of  every  department  of  the  city.  These  accum- 
ulations have  already  become  so  great  as  to  crowd  very 
important  and  valuable  records  from  the  single  ordinary 
iron  safe  that  is  now  provided,  thus  exposing  them  to 
destruction  by  fire.  Their  loss  would  be  a  serious  mis- 
fortune, and  I  desire  to  urge  upon  you  the  great  neces- 
sity of  making  such  alterations  in  the  City  Hall  build- 
ing as  will  supply  this  great  want,  and  at  the  same 
time  furnish  additional  accommodation  for  the  police. 

The  interest  on  the  cost  of  a  separate  police  sta- 
tion would  in  one  or  two  years  at  most  pay  the  expense 
of  these  proposed  alterations. 

HIGHWAYS    AND    BRIDGES. 

The  department  embracing  the  building  and  main- 
tenance of  highways  and  bridges  is  one  of  increasing 
importance  and  responsibility.  The  rapid  expansion 
of  the  city  in  almost  every  direction  causes  a  demand 
annually  for  laying  out  and  building  new  streets,  and 
when  once  opened  they  must  be  kept  in  condition  for 
public  use. 

The   allowance   made  yearly  for  repairs   has  not 
kept  pace  with  the  demand.     Besides  the  care  of  all 


14 

the  back  streets,  there  are  now  in  District  No.  2  twen- 
ty-eight and  a  half  miles  of  roads,  many  of  them  poor- 
ly constructed  at  first,  which  require  more  or  less  at- 
tention. Another  heavy  drain,  of  recent  origin,  upon 
this  fund,  is  the  present  practice  of  grading  the  side- 
walks where  the  abuttors  are  desirous  of  laying  con- 
crete pavements,  while  in  most  cities  a  separate  appro- 
priation is  made  for  this  object.  Believing  that  our 
citizens  demand  better  roads,  and  are  willing  to  pay  for 
them,  I  suggest  a  liberal  increase  in  the  allotment  to 

this  department. 

A  lot  of  land,  containing  24,600  square  feet,  ;md 

costing  $1,537.50,  has  been  purchased  for  the  purpose 
primarily  of  securing  the  gravel  upon  it.  This  land  is 
situated  on  the  south  side  of  Lowell  street,  and  a  little 
east  of  Maple  street.  It  will  furnish  some  excellent 
material  for  streets,  and  could  probably  be  disposed  of 
for  the  first  cost  at  least,  after  it  has  been  relieved  of 
the  surplus  earth.  But  I  recommend  that  it  be  retained 
as  a  deposit  for  stone,  brick,  lumber,  and  other  material 
used  in  this  department ;  and  that  suitable  sheds  be 
erected  this  season,  in  which  to  store  the  sleds  mid 
other  property  unused  in  summer,  and  carts  in  winter. 
The  authorities  have  laid  out  more  than  the  usual 


15 

number  of  new  streets  the  past  year.  In  some  in- 
stances this  course  was  adopted  in  order  to  secure  the 
right  of  way  before  improvements  should  be  made  that 
would  increase  the  land  damages,  or  defeat  entirely 
the  establishment  of  avenues  where  they  are  demanded 
for  public  convenience,  as  well  as  to  maintain  that 
order  and  regularity  so  desirable  in  their  location. 

The  new  streets  completed  last  year  are  as  fol- 
lows :  Center  street,  in  Ward  Seven  ;  sections  of  Rus- 
sell, Prospect,  Orange,  Pearl,  Harrison,  Walnut,  Ash, 
Cedar,  and  Auburn  streets. 

An  expenditure  of  about  $2,700.00  was  made  in 
Ward  Eight,  for  rebuilding  the  bank  wall  and  raising 
the  highway  by  the  "  eddy,"  and  paid  for  by  special 
transfer.  This  improvement  was  made  necessary  in 
consequence  of  the  action  of  the  water  in  time  of  unus- 
ual freshets. 

A  permanent  lattice  bridge  has  been  constructed 
across  the  Cohas  Brook,  on  the  road  leading  to  the 
Island  Pond  House,  instead  of  the  stringer  bridge 
which  had  become  decayed  and  unsafe.  The  road  has 
also  been  raised  and  widened  at  this  point,  and  is  now 
above  high  water  mark.  The  whole  expense  incurred 
is  $951.38. 


16 

The  easterly  end  of  Amoskeag  Falls  Bridge  has 
been  covered,  re-planked,  and  otherwise  improved, 
and  the  whole  structure  neatly  whitewashed.  Ma- 
terials for  re-planking  the  balance  of  the  bridge  have 
been  contracted  for.  and  will  be  needed  for  use  M 
early  as  practicable. 

Granite  Bridge  will  require  repairing,  and  per- 
haps re-planking,  the  flooring  having  become  defec- 
tive. The  present  covering  is  of  oak,  four  and  a  half 
inches  thick,  and  has  been  used  less  than  three  years. 
Some  new  method  better  calculated  to  withstand 
the  great  wear  is  demanded,  and  I  suggest  that  it  would 
be  true  economy  to  pave  a  portion  of  the  bridge,  at 
least,  this  year,  with  wood  pavements. 

Early  last  year  a  joint  arrangement  was  entered 
into  between  the  Amoskeag  Manufacturing  Company, 
the  Concord  Railroad,  and  the  City  Council,  by  which 
Canal  street  has  been  paved  with  stone  from  the 
north  side  of  Pleasant  etreet  to  the  south  end  of  the 
freight  depot.  The  clayey  nature  of  the  soil  made 
it  necessary  to  remove  a  large  amount  of  earth  from 
the  street,  and  replace  it  with  loose  sand  or  gravel, 
to  aid  the  pavements  to  withstand  the  action  of  frost, 


17 

thereby    adding     heavily    to     the    expense    of    the 
work. 

The  whole  cost  of  this  improvement  was  $12,280.54 

Apportioned  ;i*  follows: — 

Aiiio-Kca"-  Manufacturing  Company,  $2,693.34 

Concord  Railroad,  4,793.60 

Citv  of  Manchester,  4,793.60 

$12,280.54 

The  work  was  performed  under  the  direction  of 
the  city  officers,  and  the  other  parties  have  promptly 
responded  in  the  above  sums,  as  their  proportion  of 
the  expense. 

A  six  inch  water-pipe  was  laid  through  Hanover 
and  Market  Streets,  from  Pine  Street  to  Franklin 
Street,  for  supplying  water  with  which  to  sprinkle 
the  streets.  This  has  proved  entirely  succesful,  and 
of  great  value,  as  without  it  we  should  have  been  de- 
prived of  the  means  of  wetting  the  main  avenues  of 
trade,  through  the  long  and  severe  drought  of  the 
past  season.  The  whole  cost  of  work  and  necessary 
fixtures  was  $1,583.16. 

SEWERS    AND    DRAEN'S. 

In  order  to  perfect  a  thorough  system  of  sewerage 
for  the  thickly  settled  portion  of  the  city,  an  annual 
appropriation,  liberal  in  amount,  will  be  required  for 
many  years  to  come.  It  is  gratifying  that  for  some- 


18 

time  past  the  work  has  progressed  under  a  system- 
atic plan,  which  when  completed  will  furnish  ade- 
quate drainage  for  the  streets  and  the  abuttors. 

In  1858  the  new  main  sewer  through  El  in 
Street  was  extended  from  Central  Street  to  Merri- 
mack  Street.  The  work  was  suspended  at  that  point 
in  consequence  of  more  pressing  demands  in  the 
eastern  section  of  the  city.  That  want  having  been 
supplied,  I  recommend  the  extension  of  the  Elm 
Street  sewer  the  present  season  as  far  as  the  condi- 
tion of  the  finances  will  permit. 

During  the  past  year  the  main  brick  sewer  in 
Union  Street  (2  by  3  feet)  was  extended  146  feet ;  a 
brick  sewer  two  feet  in  diameter  was  laid  from  Union 
Street  through  Amherst  Street,  900  feet,  and  extend- 
ed in  the  same  street  with  an  eighteen  inch  cement 
pipe,  500  feet.  There  have  also  been  laid  in  various 
other  street?,  3,488  feet  of  twelve  inch  pipe ;  1,583 
feet  of  nine  inch  pipe,  and  321  feet  of  six  inch  pipe, 
making  a  total  of  6,938  feet  or  about  one  and  one- 
third  miles  of  sewerage. 


19 


FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

The  great  injury  to  the  city  by  the  fire  of  the  8th 
July  last,  by  which  many  valuable  buildings  were 
destroyed,  depriving  some  of  our  most  enterprising 
and  worthy  citizens  of  a  large  amount  of  property, 
rendering  nearly  two  hundred  families  homeless,  in- 
terrupting business,  and  throwing  many  out  of  em- 
ployment, calls  loudly  upon  us  to  see  that  all  needed 
facilities  are  provided  to  prevent  the  recurrence  of  a 
similar  disaster.  It  is  appalling  to  contemplate  what 
must  have  been  the  result,  had  we  not  been  favored 
with  rain  immediately  after  the  bursting  out  of  the 
flames,  or  had  the  fire  occurred  in  a  locality  less  fav- 
ored in  respect  to  a  supply  of  water.  The  firemen 
performed  their  duties  with  alacrity,  and  worked 
with  that  indomitable  will  and  persistence  which  have 
ever  characterized  them,  and  are  entitled  to  our 
gratitude  for  their  services  on  this  as  well  as  on  other 
occasions. 

Within  a  few  weeks  ten  members  of  the  Hose 
Company  have  been  transferred  to  Engine  No.  4,  and 
a  new  company  organized,  making  the  present  depart- 
ment to  consist  of  four  engine  companies,  one  hose 


20 

company,  and  one  hook  and  ladder  company,  all  fur- 
nished with  superior  apparatus.  I  believe  as  a  whole 
the  department  was  never  in  better  condition.  But 
in  common  with  a  large  majority  of  our  citizens, 
the  firemen  are  impressed  with  the  absolute  necessity 
of  providing  against  future  disaster  by  the  construc- 
tion of  adequate 

WATER    WOKKS. 

This  subject  was  submitted  to  the  inhabitants  at 
the  late  municipal  election,  and  by  a  decided  vote 
the  people  declared  that  they  desired  that  something 
should  be  done  in  the  matter. 

Unfortunately  a  difference  of  opinion  exists 
among  those  who  have  interested  themselves  upon 
this  subject ;  first,  as  to  the  best  source  of  supply  ; 
and  second,  as  to  the  best  means  to  be  adopted  to 
secure  the  management  and  completion  of  the  en- 
terprise. I  say  that  this  is  unfortunate,  for  in  an 
undertaking  of  such  magnitude  it  is  of  the  highest 
importance  that  there  should  be  unanimity  and  co- 
operation on  the  part  of  the  people. 

I  will  not  stop  here  to  enlarge  upon  the  great 
blessings  of  an  unlimited  supply  of  water,  nor  more 


21 

than  advert  to  what  has  been  proved  a  fact  in  other 
cities,  that  the  works  judiciously  constructed  would 
in  a  very  few  years  become  self-sustaining,  and  would 
require  no  direct  aid  from  the  City  Treasury ;  but 
will  submit  for  your  consideration  a  proposition,  as 
the  second  step,  (one  having  already  been  taken  by 
the  citizens  themselves,)  designed  mainly  to  secure 
union  and  harmony  in  whatever  course  may  be 
adopted.  I  suggest  that  a  Commission  composed  of 
persons  from  abroad,  of  large  practical  experience  in 
similar  works,  men  of  acknowledged  character  and 
capacity,  in  whose  judgment  the  community  would 
place  the  utmost  confidence — whose  duty  it  should 
be  to  consider  the  various  propositions  that  have 
been  suggested,  hear  all  the  parties  Who  desire  to  be 
heard,  and  report  as  early  in  the  season  as  practica- 
ble, which  of  all  the  routes  proposed,  all  things  con- 
sidered, is  in  their  estimation  the  one  best  adap- 
ted to  our  wants. 

Should    an    opinion    be   obtained    from  such   a 

source  and  under  such  circumstances,  I  am  sure  that 
a  second  step  will  have  been  taken  in  this  great  work, 
and  that  all  other  difficulties  will  vanish  as  the  enter- 
prise progresses. 


22 

COMMONS. 

The  wisdom  of  our  predecessors  in  awarding 
liberal  appropriations  by  which  the  public  commons 
are  being  greatly  improved,  thus  contributing  to  the 
health.,  comfort,  and  enjoyment  of  our  citizens,  meets 
with  universal  approbation.  Merrimack  Square  is 
now  half  inclosed  with  a  beautiful  and  substantial 
iron  fence,  which  can  be  completed  in  two  more  sea- 
sons, with  the  sum  usually  set  apart  for  that  purpose. 
A  border  wall  was  commenced  the  past  season  on  the 
shore  of  the  pond  in  this  square,  and  extended  more 
than  half  the  distance  around  it. 

The  bank  wall  at  the  outlet  of  the  pond  on  Han- 
over Square  has  been  rebuilt,  new  wooden  fences 
erected  on  portions  of  this  and  other  commons,  and 
the  usual  amount  of  concrete  walk  put  down.  With 
the  continuance  of  the  improvements  now  in  pro- 
gress, these  commons  will  soon  command  attention 
and  admiration. 

CEMETERIES. 

I 

In  the  management  of  the  public  cemeteries  no 
event  has  occurred  to  distinguish  the  past  from 
former  years. 


23 

The  Valley  will  again  claim  some  pecuniary  as- 
sistance, that  the  grounds  may  be  kept  in  such  con- 
dition as  will  satisfy  the  demands  and  tastes  of 
an  enlightened  community.  The  receipts  from  the 
sale  of  lots  in  the  Pine  Grove  Cemetery,  are  for  the 
present  sufficient  for  its  support. 

A  fence  was  built  around  the  cemetery  at  Amos- 
keag,  and  an  order  passed  for  a  similar  enclosure  at 
GofPs  Falls,  which  will  be  carried  into  effect  early  in 
the  spring. 

MILITARY. 

The  demand  upon  the  treasury  in  aid  of  the 
military  companies  within  our  city,  is  very  moderate. 
The  character  of  the  members  composing  these  com- 
panies commands  our  respect,  and  many  of  them  are 
entitled  to  our  gratitude  for  their  heroic  efforts  for 
the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

One  year  ago  it  was  my  privilege  to  allude  in 
this  connection,  to  the  subject  of  a 

SOLDIERS'  MONUMENT. 

Although  the  City  Council  made  an  appropria- 
tion of  $1,000  to  defray  the  expense  of  any  action 


that  might  be  taken,  I  regret  to  say  that  the  recom- 
mendation, although  some  progress  was  made,  has  not 
been  carried  into  effect ;  consequently  no  part  of  this 
sum  has  been  expended.  I  desire  to  again  submit 
the  matter  for  your  consideration,  with  the  sugges- 
tion that  the  City  Library  Building,  now  nearly 
completed,  furnishes  a  very  appropriate  place  lor  a 
suitable  testimonial  to  those  brave  men,  who  sacri- 
ficed their  lives  that  the  Constitution  might  be  main- 
tained and  the  Union  be  preserved. 

Another  and  a  very  appropriate  manner  of 
transmitting  to  posterity  our  gratitude  to  those  gal- 
lant and  patriotic  men,  is  to  erect  on  some  one  of 
our  public  squares  an  enduring  monument  of  a  suit- 
able design,  to  be  used  in  connection  with  a  fountain 
in  anticipation  of  the  introduction  of  water. 

With  these  suggestions,  and  the  full  assurance 
that  your  action  will  be  such  as  to  reflect  honor  upon 
our  municipality  and  do  justice  to  the  memory  of 
our  citizen  soldiery  I  leave  the  matter  in  your 
hands. 


25 


CITY   FARM. 

The  whole  number  of  paupers  at  the  almshouse 
during  the  past  year  was  32.  The  average  number 
was  eight  and  one-third,  being  a  slight  increase  over 
the  previous  year. 

The  general  management  of  the  farm  has  been 
continued  from  year  to  year  without  material  change 
except  that  the  policy  of  reducing  the  number  of 
acres  has  been  adopted  and  acted  upon. 

There  were  sold  in  1868    7  lots,  amounting  to  $3,159  46 

"  "         1870  10  "  6,550  40 


Making  a  total  of  $9,709  86 

This  sum  has  been  diminished  by  expenditures 

for  building  the  necessary  streets,  $609  34 

For  fencing  squares  reserved  for  public  use,       221  90 

831  24 


Leaving  the  net  amount  for  20  3-4  acres  sold,  8,878  62 

I  trust  it  will  be  your  pleasure  to  continue  the 
same  policy  in  this  respect  until  the  farm  is  reduced 
to  a  proper  size  for  economical  management. 


2(5 


CONCLUSION. 

I  have  thus,  gentlemen  of  the  city  council,  en- 
deavored to  lay  before  you  in  a  plain  practical  man- 
ner, the  present  condition  and  wants  of  the  various 
departments  of  the  city,  together  with  such  recom- 
mendations as  seemed  judicious  and  necessary  to  pro- 
tect and  foster  all  the  material  interests  of  this  com- 
munity. 

It  is  oar  privilege  to  assume  these  offices  of  trust 
and  responsibility,  at  an  interesting  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  city,  and  at  an  era  of  its  greatest  pros- 
perity. It  is  for  us  to  provide  for  the  various 
demands  which  its  rapid  growth  will  require,  lib- 
erally yet  judiciously.  Let  us  avoid  every  species  of 
extravagance,  and  all  expenditures  of  money  for 
doubtful  or  untried  projects ;  ever  keeping  in  view 
the  burdens  of  taxation  which  bear  so  heavily  upon 
the  people.  Let  us  enter  upon  these  high  duties 
with  purity  of  motive,  and  singleness  of  purpose,  and 
with  a  determination  to  be  faithful  to  every  demand ; 
frankly  and  openly  meeting  every  question,  irrespec- 
tive of  party  lines,  or  personal  preference. 

In  assuming  the  responsibilities  of  this   honora 


27 

ble  position  for  a  third  time,  it  will  be  my  earnest 
endeavor  to  perform  its  duties  faithfully  and  impar- 
tially, at  all  times.  Let  me  cherish  the  hope  that  our 
action  may  always  be  harmonious,  and  that  a  spirit 
of  cordial  co-operation  may  pervade  all  our  councils. 
May  we  engage  in  this  important  work  unitedly  and 
zealously,  with  the  sole  aim  of  proving  ourselves 
worthy  of  the  confidence  reposed  in  us,  and  faithful 
servants  of  the  people. 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A     000  61 1  323     7 


